Vacuum operated horn



Dec. 22, 1931. A. R. LEUKHARDT 1337454 VACUUM OPERATED HORN Filed 0G11.l0. 1930 X "'IIIlIl-Illl illllllIillli INVENTOR. `MTHUH F?. LEUKHARDT ATTORNEY.

l y tiiajfrEn 'is'luejlluzsv PA-TENT Patented Bec. 22, 1931 Ferca ARTHURn. LEUNHARDT,.-onnnritoir.;MicHieAN, AssIeNoR Tommi wEsTINGHoUs v AIRBRAKE COMPANY, or waarnemers, PENNSYLVANIA, A conronATioNoF PENNSYLVANIAA' VYvAdUuivrornnafrnn HonN 'Appueuo ieja cfober'id 1930. smai- No.487,744.

This invention relates to `signal horns, and more particularly to avacuumoperatedhorn for motor vehicles, adapted-to be operated by thesuction derived from the intake manifold of aninternal combustionengine.

One object ofmyinvention is to provide an improved vacuum operatedhorn,whi ch is simple in construction and positive in ac- Another objectof my invention is to provide a vacuum operated horn in which theoperation is facilitated by augmenting the fluid pressure opposing thevacuum .or subatmospheric pressure.

In the accompanying drawing, the single ligure is a diagrammatic view,showing my improved signal horn in section and associated with theengine cooling system of a motor vehicle. Y y

The improved signal horn may comprise a casing 1, a cover plate 2secured to the casing 1 by screws 3, and a flexible diaphragm 4, whichis clamped between flanges of the casing and cover plate. The casing 1carries a edge of whichis in close proximity to the diaphragm 4.Secured'in the casing 1 in axial alinement with theV sleeve 5 is a soundprojecting or amplifying horn 6.

A member 7 is secured centrally of the diaphragm 4 by means of a nut 8and said member has a valve chamber 9 in which ismounted a poppet valve10, having a fluted stem 11 which extends through an opening ina screwplug 12, and a liuted stem 13 at the opposite side, which extendsthrough a bore in the member 7. l

The coverplate 2 has a central hub 14, in which an adjustable screw 15has screwthreaded engagement, said screw being in axial alinement withthe `stem 13. A coil spring 16 is mounted in chamber 17 of the Vhub 14and acts on the diaphragm 4. A coil spring 17 acts on the valve 10 andurges same to its seat. 1 p' Y For creating a partial vacuum in thechamber 18 at one side of the diaphragm 4, avalve device is providedcomprising a casingv 19 having a valve chamber 20 connected to a pipe 21leading to a source of vacuum, such central annular sleeve section 5,the outer asthe suction intake manifold (not shown) of an internalcombustion engine. In said chamber is mounted a valve 22,` subject tothepressure of a spring 23V tending to seat the valve, andrcarrying anoperating stem 24, which extends out through an opening in `the casing19 and is provided at its outer end with a push button 25. The valve 22controls come munication from'chamber 20-to chamber 26, which isconnected to diaphragm chamber 18, through pipe 27 and a restricted port28.

According'to one feature of my invention, the chamber 29 at the oppositeside of the diaphragm 4 is supplied `with fluid under pressure when thevehicle engine isrunning, and for this purpose, a tube 30 is connectedtothe chamber 29 and said tube is provided at` Yits outer end with aconical inlet 31. Said in-` let is disposed adjacent tothe usual blowerfan 32, which is mounted as usual, between the radiator 33and the engine34, the fan being driven from the engine shaft through abelt35.' ,w

When the engine of the vehicle is running,

thefan 32 operates to orce'anV under pressure through thetube 30 intothe diaphragm chamber 29. .Y In operation, when it isA desired to soundthey horn, Vthe valve 22 is unseated bydepressing the button 25, so thata partial vacfuum is created in the t*diaphragm chamber 18, whichnormally is at atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm 4'is then flexed tothe right by the fluid pressure in chamber 29. This movement causes thestem 13 to engage the end ofthe screw 15, so that the valve 10 isunseated. Fluid at atmospheric Vpressure within the horn 6 `is thenvented to diaphragm chamber 18, and the port 28 being somewhatrestricted, the lpressure builds up indiaphragm chamber 18, so that thediaphra gm 4 assisted by spring 16 is lexed to the leapermitting thevalve 10 to again seat. With .valve 10 seated, a partial vacuum is againcreatedin diaphragm chamber 18, and the movement of the diaphragmisrepeated. The diaphragm 4 is'thus caused to vibrate, so as to createsound by vibrating the column oi air in the horn 6.4 Withthevehicleengine running, the fluid pressure in diaphragm chamber 29 israised above atmospheric pressure, so that the action of the diaphragm dis intensified. When the diaphragm l is iiexed to the right, the outletarea from chamber 29 to the horn 6 is increased, which tends to reducethe pressure in then chamber 29 to atmospheric pressure and thusfacilitate the return movement ofthe. diaphragm 4t toward the left when.theA return mvement is started by the building up of pressure in thechamber 18, due to the opening of the valve 10.

Thile one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described indetail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment orotherwise than bythe terms-1 or the appended claims.

Having. novv described my' invention, what Iv cl'ainr as new' and'desirev to secure by Letters aient, is

l. A sounding device comprising a. flexible diaphragm having chamber atone side, means for creating' a partial vacuum: in said chamber', a'-member' mounted centrally of said;` diaphragm, a varlve carried andsupported by said member for controlling communication from said chamberto' the atmosphere, and means operated upon iiexing the diaphragm foropening said valve.

sounding' device comprising a flexible' diaphragm having a chamber atone side, means for' creating a partial vacuum in said chamber, a membermounted centrally ot' said diaphragm, a valve mounted in and suph portedby said member forV controlling communication from said chamber to theatmosphere, and means operated upon flexing said diaphragm in onedirection for opening said valve.

3. A sounding device comprising a flexible diaphragm having a chamber atone side, means for creating a partial vacuum in said chamber, a membermounted centrally of said diaphragm, a valve' mounted in said member andhaving oppositely extending guide stems, and means for engaging one ofsaid stems to open said valve and connect said chamber to the atmosphereupon flexing said diaphragm in one direction.

fl. A sounding,` device comprising a flexible diaphragm having a chamberat one side, means for causing said diaphragm to vibrate upon thecreation of a partial vacuum in the chamber at one side of thediaphragm, and means Jfor amplifying the fluid pressure in the chamberat the opposite side of the diaphragm.

5. The combination with a sounding device comprising a fiexiblediaphragm having a chamber at one side and means for causing saiddiaphragm to vibrate upon the creation of a partial vacuum in thechamber at one side of the diaphragm, of ablower fan for Y increasingthe fluid pressure in the chamber at the opposite side of the diaphragm.

6. The combination With a sounding device comprising a flexiblediaphragm having a chamber at one side and means for causing saiddiaphragm to vibrate upon the creation of a partial vacuum in thechamber at one side@ of' the'- diaphragm, of a blower fan for effectingthe cooling of a vehicle internal combustion engine, and means forconveying fluid compressed by said fan to the chamber at' the. oppositeside. of said' diaphragm.

7 The combination with a, sounding device comprisingz a flexiblediaphragm having a chamber 'at one side and means for causingsaiddiaphragm to vibrate upon the creation of'a partial vacuum in thechamber at one side ofi the, diaphragm,.of an internal combustionengine,l an blower tan for effecting the cooling ci sa-idengine, and a.tube connected to the chamber at, the opposite side of said diaphragmand having a nozzle in proximity to said fan, through which aircompressed by said tan is conveyedtosaid chamber.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto. set my hand, this 4th day ofOctober, 1930.

ARTHUR R. LEUKHARDT.

